[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 116 (Tuesday, June 17, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35838-35841]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-15271]
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Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
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Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 116 / Tuesday, June 17, 2003 /
Notices
[[Page 35838]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
June 12, 2003.
The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13. Comments
regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy
of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality,
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Washington, DC 20503 and to
Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington,
DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are
best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of
this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by
calling (202) 720-6746.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays
a currently valid OMB control number.
Foreign Agricultural Service
Title: McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child
Nutrition Program.
OMB Control Number: 0551-NEW.
Summary of Collection: The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act
of 2002 requires reporting on food aid programs, including the new
McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition
program (Food for Education). This program will provide agricultural
commodities and financial and technical assistance, to carry out
educational programs for food and nutrition in foreign countries.
Although the number of report requirements vary in accordance with
circumstances, reports will be received from the Cooperating Sponsor
every six months during the active life of the agreements. Reporting
will be required until all commodities have been distributed, cash
outlays expended, and/or the funds generated from the sales of the
donated commodities have been disbursed. Information is necessary to
satisfy statutory requirements and to assure that public resources are
properly used.
Need and Use of the Information: The Foreign Agricultural Service
(FAS) will collect from cooperating sponsors a Plan of Operation (i.e.,
program proposal) and budget, which will be used to determine
eligibility for participation. FAS will also collect information that
describes the organizational capacity to develop, implement, monitor,
and report on school feeding and child nutrition programs. Without the
information, it would difficult for FAS to determine the accountability
and compliance of the Cooperating Sponsors.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business
or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 156.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Quarterly; Semi-
annually.
Total Burden Hours: 11,607.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Title: Horse Protection Regulations (9 CFR part 11).
OMB Control Number: 0579-0056.
Summary of Collection: 9 CFR part 11, Regulations, implement the
Horse Protection Act of 1970 (Pub. L. 91-540), as amended July 13, 1976
(Pub. L. 94-360), and are authorized under Section 9 of the Act. The
Horse Protection Legislation was enacted to prevent showing,
exhibiting, selling, or auctioning of ``sore'' horses, and certain
transportation of sore horses in connection therewith at horse shows,
horse exhibitions, horse sales, and horse auctions. A sore horse is a
horse that has received pain-provoking practices that cause the horse
to have an accentuated, high stepping gait. Sored horses cannot be
entered in an event by any person, including trainers, riders, or
owners. Management of shows, sales, exhibitions, or auctions must
identify sored horses to prevent their participation under the act.
Need and Use of the Information: APHSI will collect information at
specified intervals from Horse Industry Organizations (HIO) and show
managements. HIOs must maintain an acceptable Designated Qualified
Person program and recordkeeping system as outlined in the regulations.
Information provided by the HIOs through designated qualified persons
allows APHIS to monitor whether enforcement of the Horse Protection
Act, its regulations, and certifying programs are effective.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Farms.
Number of Respondents: 1.514.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Quarterly;
Monthly; Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 2,357.
Food and Nutrition Service
Title: Negative Quality Control Review Schedule; Status of Sample
Selection and Completion.
OMB Control Number: 0584-0034.
Summary of Collection: The legislative basis for the operation of
the quality control system is provided by section 16 of the Food Stamp
Act of 1977. State agencies are required to perform Quality Control
(QC) reviews for the Food Stamp Program (FSP). As part of the
Performance Reporting System, each State agency is required to provide
a systemic means of determining the accuracy of household eligibility
and measuring the extent to which households receive the food stamp
allotment to which they are entitled. Section 275.21(a) requires State
agencies to submit reports to enable the
[[Page 35839]]
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to monitor their compliance with
Program requirements relative to the Quality Control Review System. FNS
will collect information using forms FNS-245 Negative Case Action
Review Schedule and FNS-248 Status of Sample Selection and Completion.
Need and Use of the Information: FNS will collect information to
record data in negative case reviews. FNS will also measure program
operations and determination of a State's eligibility for enhanced
administrative funding and to monitor the progress of sample selection
and completion. If the information were not collected, it would delay
the awarding of monetary incentives in which the negative error rate
played a role.
Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government;
Federal Government; Individuals or households.
Number of Respondents: 53.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Weekly; Monthly;
Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 123,374.
Food and Nutrition Service
Title: USDA National Hunger Clearinghouse Database Form.
OMB Control Number: 0584-0474.
Summary of Collection: The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is
interested in maintaining and further developing an information
clearinghouse (named ``USDA National Hunger Clearinghouse'') for groups
that assist low-income individuals and communities concerning nutrition
assistance programs or other assistance. Section 26 of the National
School Lunch Act, which was added to the Act by Section 123 Pub. L.
102-448 on November 2, 1994 (Appendix A), mandated that FNS enter into
a 4 year contract with a non governmental organization to develop and
maintain a national information clearinghouse of grassroots
organizations working on hunger, food, nutrition, and other
agricultural issues, including food recovery. This legislation was
further amended on October 13, 1998 by section 112 of Pub. L. 105-336
to extend and increase funding for the clearinghouse (for fiscal years
1999 through 2003). The USDA National Hunger Clearinghouse uses state-
of-the art computer and telecommunications technologies to connect the
target audience, sharing information on effective program models,
pending legislation and rule makings, surplus and emergency food
distribution networks, and USDA programs and policies.
Need and Use of the Information: FNS will collect information to
provide a resource for groups that assist low-income individuals or
communities regarding nutrition assistance program or other assistance.
The information provided by the Clearinghouse database enables these
groups to do a better job of assisting the target audience.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business
or other for-profit; Farms.
Number of Respondents: 1,750.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 146.
Forest Service
Title: Public land use and Values.
OMB Control Number: 0596-New.
Summary of Collection: As part of a continuing research effort to
develop and evaluate alternative approaches and methods for obtaining
and incorporating public input into land and resource management
decision, this information collection will focus mainly on people and
their use of public lands. The information collection will include
three aspects of public preferences, which are: (1) Objectives
(comprised of values and desired outcomes) and preferences related to
public land and management, (2) land attributes and people's behaviors
and perceived consequences that can be linked to policy and management
alternatives (in particular, measurable indicators of changes caused or
prevented by policy and management actions), (3) identification of how
people evaluate measured indicators of policy and management outcomes
and consequences. The Forest Service (FS) will collect information
using a survey that will be administered primarily by mail, some
telephone contact and some in-person contact.
Need and Use of the Information: The information collected will
also help managers and planners broaden and deepen their understanding
of the public perceptions of various land management practices and
impacts of those practices. Without the information reliable data would
not be available on how the public feels about various management
policies and means for accomplishing those policies on public lands.
Description of Respondents: Individuals or households.
Number of Respondents: 8,000.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 4,000.
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration
Title: Survey of Customers of the Official Grain Inspection and
Weighing System.
OMB Control Number: 0580-0018.
Summary of Collection: The United States Grain Standards Act, as
amended (7 U.S.C. 71-87) (USGSA), and the Agricultural Marketing Act of
1946, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627) (AMA), authorizes the Secretary
of the United States Department of Agriculture to establish official
inspection, grading, and weighing programs for grains and other
agricultural commodities. Under the USGSA and AMA, Grain Inspection,
Packers and Stockyard Administration (GIPSA's) Federal Grain Inspection
Service (FGIS) offers inspecting, weighing, grading, quality assurance,
and certification services for a user-fee to facilitate the efficient
marketing of grain, oilseeds, rice, lentils, dry peas, edible beans,
and related agricultural commodities in the global marketplace. The
goal of FGIS and the official inspection, grading, and weighing system
is to provide timely, high-quality, accurate, consistent, and
professional service that facilitates the orderly marketing of grain
and related commodities.
Need and Use of the Information: FGIS will collect information
using a survey to determine where and to what extent services are
satisfactory, and can be improved. The information will be shared with
other managers and program leaders who will be responsible for making
any necessary improvements at the office/agency, program, and project
level.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; State,
Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 1,874.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 313.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR 1744-C, Advance and Disbursement of Funds--
Telecommunications.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0023.
Summary of Collection: Section 201 of the Rural Electrification Act
(RE Act) of 1936 authorizes the Administrator of the Rural Utilities
Service (RUS) to make loans for the purpose of providing telephone
service to the widest practicable number of rural subscribers. A
borrower requesting loan advances must submit RUS Form 481, ``Financial
Requirement Statement'' and a description of the advances. A borrower
must submit upon request copies of backup documentation relating to the
transactions. The information is used to determine what projects the
contracts listed on the form relate to. Within a reasonable amount of
time, funds are advanced to the borrower for the
[[Page 35840]]
purposes specified in the statement of purposes.
Need and Use of the Information: The Form 481 is used by RUS to
record and control transactions in the construction fund. RUS will
collect information and verify that the funds advanced are related
directly to loan purposes. If the information were not collected, RUS
would not have any control over how loan funds are spent or a record of
the balance to be advanced.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 645.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 2,893.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR Part 1703-H, Deferments of RUS Loan Payments for Rural
Development Projects.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0097.
Summary of Collection: Subsection (b) of section 12 of the Rural
Electrification Act (RE Act) of 1936, as amended (7 U.S.C. 912), a
Rural Utilities Service (RUS) electric or telephone borrower may defer
the payment of principal and interest on any insured or direct loan
made under the RE Act invest the deferred amounts in rural development
projects. The Deferment program is used to encourage borrowers to
invest in and promote rural development and rural job creation projects
that are based on sound economic and financial analyses.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to
determine eligibility; purposes for which the deferment amount will be
utilized; the term of the deferment the borrower will receive; the cost
of the total project and degree of participation in the financing from
other sources; verification that the purposes will not violate
limitations established in 7 CFR 1703-H. If the information were not
collected, RUS would be unable to determine eligibility for a project.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit; Business or other for-
profit.
Number of Respondents: 1.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 35.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR part 1775, Technical Assistance Program.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0112.
Summary of Collection: Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (CONACT), 7 U.S.C. 1926, authorizes Rural
Utilities Service (RUS) to make loans and grants to public agencies,
American Indian tribes, and nonprofit corporations. The loans and
grants fund the development of drinking water, wastewater, and solid
waste disposal facilities in rural areas with populations of up to
10,000 residents. Nonprofit organizations receive Technical Assistance
and Training (TAT) and Solid Waste Management (SMM) grants to help
small rural communities or areas identify and solve problems relating
to community drinking water, wastewater, or solid waste disposal
systems. The technical assistance is intended to improve the management
and operation of the systems and reduce or eliminate pollution of water
resources.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to
determine applicant eligibility, project feasibility, and the
applicant's ability to meet the grant and regulatory requirements.
Failure to collect proper information could result in improper
determinations of eligibility and improper use of funds.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 95.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Quarterly; Monthly.
Total Burden Hours: 4,986.
Forest Service
Title: Recreation Fee Permit Envelope.
OMB Control Number: 0596-0106.
Summary of Collection: The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of
1965, section 4(b), and Forest Service regulations at Title 36, Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR), Sec. 291.2 authorize the collection of fees
at some of the National Forest and Grassland recreation sites. Every
year millions of people visit National Forest System recreations sites.
At some of these sites, the public is required to pay a fee to use the
site. Fees are charged to help cover the costs of operating and
maintaining fee sites, areas, and facilities such as campgrounds. The
Forest Service (FS) used the Recreation Fee Permit Envelope for
collection of these fees. The fee envelope is also used as a tool to
collect information from visitors who will assist the FS in improving
its facilities and services for future visitors.
Need and use of the Information: FS will collect information to be
used for two purposes; First, the information pertaining to the fee
(site number, length of stay, amount paid, etc.) will be used to verify
the visitor has complied with the fee requirements. Second, visitors
will be given the opportunity to provide comments about their visit,
the condition of the facilities, and how the FS can improve services to
the public. If a visitor elects not to complete the information related
to the fee, there will be no way to verify they have paid the required
fee.
Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or
other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 400,000.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (per visit).
Total Burden Hours: 20,000.
National Appeals Division
Title: National Appeals Division Customer Service Survey
OMB Control Number: 0503-NEW.
Summary of Collection: The National Appeals Division (NAD) proposes
to conduct a customer service survey by mail pursuant to Executive
Order No. 12862. The Secretary of Agriculture established NAD on
October 20, 1994, by Secretary's Memorandum 1010-1, pursuant to the
Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994. The Act consolidated the appellate
functions and staff of several USDA Agencies and provided for
independent hearings and reviews of adverse decisions of Agencies
within USDA. Hearing Officers conduct evidentiary hearings on adverse
decisions or, when the appellant requests they review the Agency's
record of the adverse decision without a hearing. Although NAD
maintains a database to track appeal requests, the database contains
only information necessary to process the appeal request, such as the
name, address, filing results etc. NAD will collect information using a
survey.
Need and Use of the Information: NAD will collect information to
gauge the appellant's preference for face-to-face hearings, telephone
hearings or record reviews, perception of the fairness of the appeal
process, how the hearing was conducted, how impartial was the
proceeding, appellant treatment, timeliness, and how understandable the
final determination. NAD managers to set Customer Service Standards,
and make adjustments and improvements to NAD processes, including type
of appeal and clarity of NAD notices and determinations, will use the
results of the annual survey.
Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households; Not-
for-profit institutions; Business or other for-profit; State, Local or
Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 1176.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 294.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Title: Long Term Contracting.
[[Page 35841]]
OMB Control Number: 0578-0013.
Summary of Collection: The Long term Contracting regulations at 7
CFR part 630, and the Conservation program regulations at 7 CFR parts
(12, 610, 622, 624, 631, 632, 633, 634, 636, 701, 702, 752, 1410, 1465,
1466, 1467 and 1491) set forth the basic policies, program provisions,
and eligibility requirements for owners and operators to enter into and
carry out long-term conservation program contracts with technical
assistance under the various programs. These programs authorize federal
technical and financial cost sharing assistance for conservation
treatment with eligible land users. The financial assistance is based
on a conservation plan that is made a part of an agreement or contract
for a period of no less than one year. Under the terms of the
agreement, the participant agrees to apply, or arrange to apply, the
conservation treatment specified in the conservation plan. In return
for this agreement, federal cost-share payments are made to the land
user, or third party, upon successful application of the conservation
treatment.
Need and Use of the Information: Natural Resource and Conservation
Service (NRCS) will collect information on cost sharing and technical
assistance, making land use changes and install measure to conserve,
develop and utilize soil, water, and related natural resources on
participants land. NRCS uses the information to ensure the proper
utilization of program funds, including application for participation,
easement acquisition, contract implementation, conservation planning,
and application for payment.
Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Farms; Not-
for-profit institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 383,312.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting; Annually, Other.
Total Burden Hours: 755,152.
Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-15271 Filed 6-16-03; 8:45 am]
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